Pura Tirta Empul is among Bali’s most famous water temples. This sacred site has long been a place for ritual purification but is also open for outsiders to bathe in the fresh spring waters here and cleanse their souls too. That’s not all: the scenic landscape surrounding the temple gives it that extra Bali touch of feeling like you’re constantly surrounded by a lush paradise garden.
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Visiting Pura Tirta Empul Water Temple
History and features of Pura Tirta Empul Temple in Bali
One of Bali’s several pura tirta (water temples), Pura Tirta Empul was first founded in 962 AD at the mouth of a spring. Tirta literally means “water,” and pura, “spring.” The spring at this temple is particularly significant and plays an important role in subak, Bali’s irrigation system; it is also the source of the Pakerisan River.
Situated in the area of Tampaksiring, this temple complex is one of the main religious sites in the area and was built during the time of the Warmadewa dynasty. Its origins have connections to a legendary tale.
The story goes that the king at the time, Mayadenawa, refused to let his people worship the Hindu gods. He destroyed temples and spread disease and famine. To combat this, some Balinese priests prayed at the top of Mount Agung, and Indra answered their prayers to battle the king.
A war between Maydenawa and Indra ensued. Thinking he would trick Indra, the king crept into Indra’s army’s camp as they slept and poisoned their drinking water. As he left, he used the sides of his feet to escape, leaving marks in the landscape. This is where the area gets its name from: tampak (foot) and siring (slanted).
Indra’s troops drank from the water, weakening them. Indra threw his celestial weapon into the ground, and a fresh spring was created. His army drank from it, and they recovered. This myth resulted in the creation of the water temple here.
Today this historic 1,000-year-old temple also sits in close proximity to a presidential retreat that was built in the 1950s. The residence makes full use of its location near the temple grounds and often sees foreign dignitaries staying there.
Interested in visiting the Pura Tirta Empul Temple on a guided tour? I recommend the following:
– Full-Day Spiritual Cleansing and Shamanic Healing Tour
– Bali: Sacred Temples and Sunset Private Tour
What to see and do at Pura Tirta Empul in Bali
Sacred pools
Pura Tirta Empul is most famous for its sacred public baths. There are a number of large pools here in which temple visitors can immerse themselves for purification.
One of the pools, the most sacred, has thirteen spouts that gush into it. It’s used only by local communities during funerary ceremonies. In Balinese culture, when a family member dies, they pass on sebul (roughly “bad luck”) to the rest of the family; ritual bathing, called melukat, cleanses the family members from sebul, and stops it from spreading to others.
The next pool, which features eight fountains, is used for spiritual purification. This is where people come who have been ill, but are unable to recover. They cleanse themselves in the waters of the pool to clean themselves of any negative energy that’s making the body sick and heal their spirit by doing so.
The final pool can be used by anybody, including tourists. Complete with five fountains, this pool is said to bring health and vitality to those who use it. People come here to cleanse their bodies and souls from any negative impurities and return to a good state of health.
The outer and central courtyard
On entering the temple through its candi bentar (split gateway), you’ll be greeted by the jaba sisi or outer courtyard. Here you’ll find an ancient tree believed to be sacred. In this tranquil space, there’s also a pond filled with a colorful array of koi carp; people like to feed the fish here.
There’s a second candi bentar that leads through to the central courtyard. This gate is overlooked by two ogre-like guardians called Dwarapala. Above the gate; there’s a stone carving of Kala, the Balinese god of the underworld, whose fangs unusually point upwards instead of downwards here, greeting visitors with open arms.
Practical information for visiting Pura Tirta Empul in Bali
What to wear in the Pura Tirta Empul Temple
Visiting the Pura Tirta Empul temple is a popular thing to do while in Bali, but it’s still a sacred place, so dressing appropriately is important — that means covering up your upper body and making sure your legs are covered.
But for those who want to bathe in the temple’s pool, it’s not appropriate to simply wear your swimming costume. You’ll have to wear a sarong around your body. These are provided by the temple for a small, token fee (15,000 RP to be exact).
There are changing rooms available for visitors to change out of their clothes and into the sarongs before taking a dip in the pool. There are also lockers on the site where you can keep your clothes and valuables safe.
Note that it can be busy with local worshippers and visitors alike, so you may have to queue up and wait to bathe — if you want to do that.
Where is Pura Tirta Empul temple (and how to get there)
Pura Tirta Empul temple is located along Jalan Tirta, in the village of Manukaya, Tampaksiring. It’s a really popular destination, so it’s fairly easy to access, though not if you want to get there using public transport.
There’s a large car park out the front of Pura Tirta Empul, where you can leave your car or moped. If you’re driving yourself to this storied water temple, then you can always hop in a taxi or hire a driver for the day to drop you off at a few sights (this temple included). A car with a driver will cost upwards of 500,000 RP.
There are also tours available that will take you not only to Pura Tirta Empul but also to other nearby sights.
Interested in visiting the Pura Tirta Empul Temple on a guided tour? I recommend the following:
– Full-Day Spiritual Cleansing and Shamanic Healing Tour
– Bali: Sacred Temples and Sunset Private Tour
Opening times of the Pura Tirta Empul Temple
The opening hours of Pura Tirta Empul are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fees for the Pura Tirta Empul Temple
The entrance fee for Pura Tirta Empul is 50,000 RP (25,000 RP for children aged 5 and 11 years old).